Youngstown man indicted for marijuana sales

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A man arrested last month following what officers called one of the largest drug seizures from a traffic stop in more than 10 years was indicted Thursday by a Mahoning County grand jury.

Alex Stewart, 30, of Youngstown, was indicted on one felony count of marijuana trafficking with a forfeiture specification and one felony count of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.

Police said they stopped Stewart for failing to use a turn signal while he was driving on the South Side the night of March 15. During a search of Stewart’s vehicle, officers found 10 one-pound bags of marijuana packaged and ready for sale. Police said it is worth approximately $20,000.

Officers said they could smell the marijuana as soon as they approached Stewart’s car, according to a police report.

Officials called it one of the largest drug seizures they have had from a traffic stop in more than a decade.

In addition to the marijuana, police also found a 9-mm Smith & Wesson handgun in the glove compartment. Stewart’s concealed carry permit expired in July, according to the police report.

Stewart was issued a summons following his arrest and has not yet been picked up on the indictment.